James Robarge pleaded not guilty to charges of first- and second-degree murder. He is accused of killing Kelly Robarge in their Charlestown home on June 27, the day she filed for divorce.

One witness took the stand during Thursday morning's bail hearing. Sgt. John Sonia, the lead investigator for the state police Major Crimes Unit, testified that there had been a history of violent arguments between the couple and that James Robarge had threatened to kill his wife if she filed for divorce.

Sonia also said blood was found in their home that was determined to be Kelly Robarge's. Her body was discovered in Unity 10 days after she was reported missing.

Sonia also testified that on that day, James Robarge was found walking on a road, his car having broken down 2 miles from where the body would be discovered on July 6, and that James Robarge had blood on him.

"The troopers and officers in contact with him observed what they believed to be blood on his shorts and sneakers," Sonia said. "At one point, he was allowed to go to the restroom, and officers noted some of the blood on his shoe was wiped off."

Sonia went on to testify that the blood on James Robarge's shorts was tested and found to be Kelly Robarge's blood.

During cross-examination the defense hammered home the point that investigators can't say exactly how or when Kelly Robarge died.

The defense also pointed out that while a neighbor said he heard an argument coming from the Robarge household on June 27, the neighbor was unable to identify the voices.

JAMES ROBARGE PLED NOT GUILTY TO BOTH FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE MURDER CHARGES. ONE OF THE KEY PIECES OF EVIDENCE WAS BLOOD FOUND ON HIS SHORTS, AND THEY FOUND WITH LAB TESTS THAT IT WAS KELLY'S. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THEY PRESENTED. WITH A SINGLE WITNESS, PROSECUTORS LAID OUT EVIDENCE THEY SAY LINKS HIM TO THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE. HE SAID HE WOULD KILL HER AND PUT HER IN A WOOD CHIPPER. A NEIGHBOR TOLD POLICE THEY HEARD YELLING NEAR HER HOME THAT MORNING. A FEW HOURS LATER, POLICE SAY ROBARGE TEXTED HIS DAUGHTER, ASKING IF SHE HAD SEEN THEIR MOM. HE PUT THE BODY IN A CAR ALLEGEDLY, AND THE BODY WAS FOUND 10 DAYS LATER. HE HAD TO CALL FOR A RIDE, WHEN HIS CAR BROKE DOWN NOT FAR FROM THE SPOT. HE LATER SAID HE HAD RUPTURED HIS OIL TANK DRIVING INTO THE WOODS, AND WHEN THEY PICKED HIM UP, THERE WAS BLOOD ON HIS CLOTHING. SCRATCHES TO THE NECK, THE CHEST, AND HIS HANDS. THE DEFENSE DISPUTED THE BLOOD EVIDENCE AND ALSO ASKED WHY HE WOULD PURPOSEFULLY CONTACT HIS DAUGHTER AND DRAW ATTENTION TO THE CRIME, AND THEY ALSO HAMMERED HOME THE POINT THAT NO ONE CAN SAY EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED HER DEATH. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDS OR FEET. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A WEAPON, OR NOT. HER FAMILY DECLINED TO SPEAK, BUT RELATIVES TELL US THEY ARE IN DISBELIEF. EVERYTHING POINTS TO HIM. IF HE DID IT, HE IS GOING TO GET THE PUNISHMENT HE DESERVES. IT IS NOT RIGHT TO TAKE SOMEBODY'S LIFE BECAUSE THEY WANT A DIVORCE.